Just as occupational health and safety plays an important role in the working lives of adults - as we aim to avoid injuries – we should also be thinking the same way for children on home computers.

That means informing our children of good and bad habits and ensuring that we create a workspace that is appropriate for a child's size and stage of development.

Children are not little adults. Their bodies are still developing and they use technology in different ways to how adults do.

If possible choose equipment made for children

• For small children, invest in a child-sized mouse and keyboard. Some children may find a trackball easier to use than a mouse.
• Choose a chair that places the child at the proper height to the computer and does not encourage slouching.
• Make sure the workspace is well lit. An anti-glare screen can minimise eyestrain.
• When buying a games console, choose controllers that are scaled to the size of their hands.
• Look for information about the suitability of products and choose games that are designed for children. The software should be easy to use and geared to their particular developmental stage in hand-eye coordination.

• Ensure the equipment and furniture is placed in a way that promotes good posture and proper hand placement for children.
• Set the desk around elbow height.
• Children's arms should be comfortably close to their body and their elbows should be at a 90 degree angle.
• Set the chair to the child's leg length. If their feet are dangling, place a footrest under their feet.
• Children should not need to bend their necks to look at the screen. The monitor should be aligned with the top of the child's head, directly in front.
• Children should sit about an arm's length from the screen to minimise eyestrain.
• Make sure the screen is free from glare and adjust the brightness and text size for their comfort.
• Placing a document holder next to the monitor, so children don't need to keep turning their heads.
• Regulate your child's time on the computer and encourage active breaks and frequent changes of position to increase circulation and let the eyes relax.
• Purchase a keyboard that enables children to type with minimum force.

Gaming can be fun, but children can develop the gaming "trance" where long hours are spent in front of the TV pressing the same buttons. This repetitive activity can be dangerous and lead to hand and wrist injuries, as well as eyestrain.

But proper usage of the hardware can alleviate this.

• Use any programmable features of the game pad to reduce the amount of repetitive actions, such as pushing the "attack" button combinations.
• Encourage playing of games that are more interactive or involve physically changing positions. Many modern games involve a physical interaction from players with the controller, often requiring them to stand up and move around.
• Limit children's time with the console and enforce breaks.

The smaller screens and speakers and repeated movement of thumbs for sending text messages can lead to strain on hands, eyes and ears.

• Encourage your child to use a headset or to alternate ears when taking calls.
• Store commonly used numbers in the phone's memory.
• Keeping templates of commonly sent messages in the phone's memory can eliminate the need for retyping messages.

If your child complains of any pain or discomfort while using technology, respond quickly to this. Change usage and consult a health professional if the discomfort continues.

www.healthycomputing.com/kids